Today we had a writing workshop with Ty, another MU faculty member. We talked about different ways to do creative writing taking an everyday task that we don't think much about and writing about it.
The first paragraph is just describing the event with no knowledge of what we were to be doing.
To make my coffee this morning I had to reheat what was left
in the pot from my roommate getting up for work this morning. It might not be
the freshest cup of coffee, but it gets the job done all the same. When the
microwave finally gave that joyful ding I could fill my travel cup as full as
it would go. Adding in the good stuff is my favorite part. A little splash of
vanilla creamer and some milk go a long way. Then I added a pinch of sugar to
add to the sweetness. Giving it a little stir mixes the dark coffee with the
light cream and sugar creating a perfectly balanced mixture of the two. Then
comes the taste test, my favorite part. Being careful not to burn my tongue on
the hot mixture, I dip my spoon to get just a sip, enough to taste the flavors.
When the sweet taste touches my lips, the warm sensation consumes my body and I
am happy as I leave for the long day ahead of me.
the second exercise was writing in 3rd person, but talking as if they are inner thoughts.
She heats up the coffee. Cold in the pot from a pervious
time. Waiting for the final ding, getting everything ready so it can be prepared
quickly. Impatient. It always seems to take longer when she is waiting for
something. Big day ahead. Why does it have to start so early though? Finally,
done. Taking the cup from the microwave, she starts mixing. The splash of milk,
the sweet cream, and a pinch of sugar, no add a little more. Careful not to put
too much. A perfect mixture of all things. From a dark brown to a light cream,
everything is blended. Dipping the spoon to get a taste of the swirling
mixture. Can’t burn her tongue, blows to cool. Perfection at last.
The third played off the idea of lists. Of things you see, actions, or adjectives.
Warm up the coffee, thirty seconds, twenty-nine,
twenty-eight, twenty-seven, twenty-six, twenty-five seconds, counting down the
precious moments it will take. Thirteen, twelve, eleven, ten, nine, eight, so
close to gaining the energy needed for the early, long, gruesome, terrible,
demanding, eventless, boring, slow day ahead. One. Taking the cup from the
microwave, moving it to the counter, turning to the fridge, opening the door,
grabbing the milk and the cream, closing the door, walking to sugar, pulling
out the drawer, grasping the spoon, taking the coffee, adding the ingredients,
stirring the mixture, resting the spoon, tasting the finished product. Sweet,
bitter, warmth, love, a beautiful mixture.
The forth was more of a poem set up. Taking away most of the information and keeping the main points or visuals of the story.
cold coffee
the long day ahead
classes
work
serving food
people
something to make
it easier
bitter
sweetness
warms
the day
The final one we created was based off of a movie script, using almost photo frames of the action to tell the story with subtitles.
1. Coffee.
subtitle: Part of the morning routine
2. Warming up the cold coffee in microwave.
3. She is waiting for the surprising ding
subtitle: She starts thinking about the long
day ahead of her.
4. She removes the cup and takes
5. Now at the counter, she starts the mixing process.
6. Reaching for the sweet creamer, heavy milk, and crystal
sugar.
7. She spoons the harmonious ingredients into the cup.
Subtitle: She is very careful not to add too
much.
8. She starts the swirling desire.
Subtitle: mixing to get the perfect blend.
9. Tasting the joyful coffee.
Subtitle: She is surrounded with the warmth.
